Celebrating its 10th anniversary last year, the Rockerverb Series demonstrates better than anything else that a workhorse amp can be a master of all trades. This version of the Rockerverb 50 MKIII head combines over a decade of user feedback with a number of new details and improvements. The original Rockerverb was Orange's first ever ˜high gain™ amplifier, with a unique voice that quickly became a firm favorite amongst the heavy crowd. However, its supreme versatility and dependability meant the series has been a mainstay for touring artists and session aces, both on the road and in the studio.
In a first for the Rockerverb Series, the MKIIIs include selectable output power options to manipulate headroom and volume, with the 50W version switching down to 25W. The MKIII also features the same footswitchable attenuator that has been so popular with users of Orange' Thunderverb and Dual Dark Series amps.
The Clean channel has been revoiced on the new MKIIIs for a more œchimey response. The clean side now has even greater headroom than previous models, while still retaining the warmth and vintage character of a non-master volume design. Also, the valve-driven spring reverb now has a more extensive range with a brighter trail. Add to this a host of other hidden refinements and you have the finest sounding, and most feature-laden, Rockerverb to date.
Twin-Channel Design
The original Rockerverb gained a cult following on account of its iconic high-gain tones. The MKIII continues this tradition, but these amps are immensely flexible. The Dirty channel goes anywhere from classic British crunch to the very heaviest modern genres, and always maintains outstanding clarity. The non-master-volume Clean channel has been re-engineered to take on a more "sparkly" and "crisp" nature but with greater control through a revoiced two-band EQ section. The MKIIIs have even greater headroom and volume in full power mode, should you need it, but this can now be manipulated with the amp' output power and Attenuator controls.
Footswitchable Attenuator
The Attenuator circuit is located after the master volume controls and determines when and how the amp distorts after the preamp stage. This means the overall volume level can be reduced, while keeping control over the amp' output clipping characteristics. Unlike a loadbox, Orange' design ensures the all-important relationship between the output transformer and the speaker remains intact, so, even at very low volumes, the amp remains springy and responsive. Turning the Attenuator control clockwise reduces the overall output level (i.e. increases the attenuation), which can be remotely defeated via a footswitch for a volume boost on either channel for lead lines.
Switchable Output Power
Switching the amp's output power allows for more control over the headroom and breakup from the output valves. Reduce the output for greater output valve clipping and saturation at lower volume levels. The Rockerverb 50 MKIII features a "half-power" mode which drops the plate voltage on the output valves, reducing the output power to 25 watts.
Footswitchable Reverb
Driven by a single 12AT7/ECC81 valve and a custom transformer, the spring reverb circuit in the MKIII has undergone significant upgrades. It is our richest sounding spring reverb design to date, with a more intuitive and usable sweep, ranging from subtle œair to full-on surf.
Valve-Buffered FX Loop
For the purists who love their pedals, Orange' highly transparent effects loop is buffered by a single 12AT7/ECC81, ensuring an all-valve signal path from input to output.
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